This is from a person crossing from their 70’s into their 80’s..
Why does it take so long for some of us to get here .. ??
If you’re younger and you’re reading this, why not learn to appreciate these things and more now???
I asked a friend who has crossed 70 and is heading towards 80, what sort of changes he is feeling in himself? He sent me the following:
1. After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children and my friends, I have now started loving myself.
2. I have realized that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.
3. I have stopped bargaining with vegetable & fruit vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break me, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.
4. I leave my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a living than I am.
5. I stopped telling the elderly that they’ve already told that story many times. The story makes them walk down memory lane & relive their past.
6. I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection.
7. I give compliments freely & generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me. And a small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never, NEVER turn it down, just say “Thank You.”
8. I have learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances.
9. I walk away from people who don’t value me. They might not know my worth, but I do.
10. I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat & neither am I in any race.
11. I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my emotions that make me human.
12. I have learned that it’s better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas with relationships, I will never be alone.
13. I have learned to live each day as if it’s the last. After all, it might be the last.
14. I am doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to myself. Happiness is a choice. You can be happy at any time, just choose to be!
I decided to share this with all of you..
Why do we have to wait to be 60, or 70, or 80??
Why not start this at any age????
A girlfriend of mine shared this on her social media platform. I don’t know the original writer. It really struck a cord with me. At 54 I started implementing these things, ideas, philosophies, and actions when I hit my late 20s, early 30s. I became very aware and intuned to me in my 30s. Trust me these points are not easy to do when you are younger, but they truly impact the quality of your life and others you have contact with with for the better.
Somewhere in my late 20s, early 30s, I really decided quality of my life was based upon what I make of it. I had to stop trying to please everyone. I had to speak up for myself, and others. I had to stand firm in my commitments and beliefs. I had to decide for me, what did I want in my life. How did I want to be loved. I had to decide what type of person would love me the way I love them, for me, and for them. I had to first though, learn to love me, and like me too.
Every day I work on these principles and ideas and such. I am contantly evolving. For I will never know it all, but I am open and willing to learn to be the best me I can, for me, and those I have contact with.
One of my many quotes:
I’m a firm believer people come into our life for a myriad of reasons. Either for you to learn, them to learn, or you to learn together. I regret not who is no longer in my life, for they were merely part of my discovery, journey, my story. My adventure. I wish them well. – Leila
I hope in reading this you come closer to your own path of happiness. May you like and love yourself a little more. May you have you truth and happiness coincide. May you like and love yourself. May those in your life, and those you touch, feel your warmth, peace, joy, and love.
-L
Leila World Blog 